Right now, women in newly formed Savings Groups are learning to save for the first time — and they need partners to help that momentum continue. In 2026 alone, 12 new Savings Groups have formed across our partner communities — proof that even in communities facing real hardship, women are choosing to build something together.
That growth is only possible because of partners like you. We're inviting our community to raise $1,850 in new monthly partnership: enough to sustain the groups already meeting each week, and to help even more new groups form in the year ahead. Women like Etenesh, who joined one of this year's newest groups, are proof of what's possible when a small savings habit meets the right support — for her, and for the next generation.
That growth is only possible because of partners like you. We're inviting our community to raise $1,850 in new monthly partnership: enough to sustain the groups already meeting each week, and to help even more new groups form in the year ahead. Women like Etenesh, who joined one of this year's newest groups, are proof of what's possible when a small savings habit meets the right support — for her, and for the next generation.
Already a Thrive Partner? Click here to increase your Monthly Gift.
A generous donor has committed to matching every new Thrive Partnership and monthly gift increase made by August 26th through the end of the year. Dollar for dollar, your gift will be doubled, allowing your generosity to multiply in impact and help even more families thrive.
42 groups12 new in 2026
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749 people685 women, 64 men
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~2,247 childrenreached through families
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Etenesh's StoryWhen Etenesh joined one of this year's newest Savings Groups, she doubted there was anything left to save. Through simple weekly training, she discovered saving could start with just a few birr set aside from daily expenses. Today, she chairs a group of 20 women who have saved over 25,000 birr together in just two months. She's hoping to use her first loan to start raising livestock — a small step toward a more secure future for her son.
Scroll to the bottom for her full story. |
Invest in their stories.
Which Woman Will You Partner With?
On the giving form, please write in the name of woman you're selecting.
Birhane Birhane is a mother of five who once stayed home, unsure of her place. Now she and her Savings Group have saved nearly 91,000 birr together in just three months. She dreams of starting a chicken business and building lasting economic freedom for her family. Partner with Birhane 
Tadelu Tadelu was married young and never finished school — a loss she still feels today. Now, saving alongside other women, she dreams of one day buying her daughter a phone or computer for her studies in high school. Partner with Tadelu |
Fanu Fanu is raising four children and for years carried quiet shame about her family's finances. Through her Savings Group, she's building new confidence — and dreams of starting a chicken farm to create a steadier income for her family. Partner with Fanu 
Tirtagn Tirtagn is raising four children, the oldest already grown. She dreams of using a loan from her Savings Group to buy lambs to raise and sell during the holiday season — a small business, built one season at a time. Partner with Tirtagn |
Dinknesh Dinknesh is a mother of six, who was only able to go to school through Grade 4. But she has big hopes for her children's future. She dreams of a life where her kids receive an education she never had, and grow up respected for who they become. Partner with Dinknesh 
Sintayehu Sintayehu is expecting her second child, has a 9-year-old daughter and serves as a leader in her community's care group. She dreams of earning enough to always afford her daughter's school supplies and uniform. Partner with Sintayehu |
Elfnesh Elfnesh is an elderly woman raising eight children, still hoping for a better future for each of them. She dreams of seeing her children well-educated, and one day owning a dairy cow to produce milk, butter, and cheese to sell. Partner with Elfnesh 
Gelani Gelani is a single mother raising her 9-year-old daughter on her own. This year, she skipped buying her daughter's usual year-end gift so she could save instead. She dreams of a future where she can always say yes to the things that make her daughter happy. Partner with Gelani |
Nebso Nebso never had the chance to attend school herself. Her dream for saving isn't a business — it's her children's future: she hopes that her son and daughter will have the chance to grow up and choose their own paths, rather than marry young. Partner with Nebso 
Malafiya Malafiya is a young woman raising her daughter and building toward something bigger: owning and farming her own land. She dreams of growing and selling crops, turning her savings into a lasting source of income for her family. Partner with Malafiya |
Getenesh Getenesh is raising a son and daughter and dreams of something many women in her Savings Group haven't yet imagined: opening her own shop. With steady saving, she hopes to turn that dream into a small business of her own. Partner with Getenesh 
Hana Hana is raising two young sons and a toddler daughter, and hopes for a steadier future for all three. She and her husband don't yet own any farm animals of their own — so together, they're saving toward a loan to buy livestock and build a small family business. Partner with Hana |
*The women featured here are real participants in Savings Groups supported by Three Roots International, but represent so many more. Gifts made through this appeal support Savings Group training, resources, and expansion efforts that benefit many women and families, rather than directly sponsoring an individual participant.*
Become a Thrive Partner
What monthly partnership means...
$35/monthSupplies all required resources (registry book, ruler, calculator and passbooks) for 12 new savings groups. |
$50/monthProvides a savings group of 20 women with trainings in business plan development, conflict resolution, leadership and networking, and entrepreneurship. |
$100/monthEquips a savings group of 20 women with all training and resources needed for a year, that builds confidence, savings, and opportunity. |
Already a Thrive Partner? Increase your Monthly Gift.
A Small Savings, A Big Beginning: Etenesh's Story
When Three Roots International expanded its Savings Group program to Etenesh's community in 2026, many women doubted that saving was even possible. Etenesh, a 25-year-old mother of an 11-year-old son, was one of them. With her family's small income, she couldn't imagine having anything left to set aside.
At first, some women said they'd only join if they received seed money to start. But through practical training led by Three Roots staff, they discovered something different: saving could start with as little as 30 birr (about $0.25 USD) at a time — spared from small, everyday expenses.
"Previously, when I went to the market, I spent everything I had in my purse," Etenesh says. "But now I am mindful to keep some money aside at home, because I know I have to contribute to my savings group by the end of the week."
That shift in thinking has changed everything. Today, Etenesh chairs her Savings Group of 20 members. In just two months, the group has collectively saved over 25,000 birr.
"When I look at my savings book now, it makes me happy," she says. "The amounts seem small, but together I know we will end up with a good amount to spend on something meaningful for our lives."
Etenesh still earns her living brewing and selling traditional liquor and doing daily labor, while raising her son in a home she shares with her husband's extended family. She dreams of leaving that physically demanding work behind. After six months of saving, she hopes to access a group loan to begin raising livestock — a first step toward a more secure future for her family.
"My dream is to earn a better income and build a better life for my family," she says. "I want to use my first loan to buy a lamb or an ox, then gradually rear and fatten livestock for sale. I hope the profits will help me repay the loan, build my own herd over time, and create a brighter future for my son."
For Etenesh, the greatest change wasn't only financial — it was a change in mindset. Her Savings Group showed her, and so many women like her, that lasting progress can begin with something small: the belief that even a little, saved consistently, can grow into something new.
At first, some women said they'd only join if they received seed money to start. But through practical training led by Three Roots staff, they discovered something different: saving could start with as little as 30 birr (about $0.25 USD) at a time — spared from small, everyday expenses.
"Previously, when I went to the market, I spent everything I had in my purse," Etenesh says. "But now I am mindful to keep some money aside at home, because I know I have to contribute to my savings group by the end of the week."
That shift in thinking has changed everything. Today, Etenesh chairs her Savings Group of 20 members. In just two months, the group has collectively saved over 25,000 birr.
"When I look at my savings book now, it makes me happy," she says. "The amounts seem small, but together I know we will end up with a good amount to spend on something meaningful for our lives."
Etenesh still earns her living brewing and selling traditional liquor and doing daily labor, while raising her son in a home she shares with her husband's extended family. She dreams of leaving that physically demanding work behind. After six months of saving, she hopes to access a group loan to begin raising livestock — a first step toward a more secure future for her family.
"My dream is to earn a better income and build a better life for my family," she says. "I want to use my first loan to buy a lamb or an ox, then gradually rear and fatten livestock for sale. I hope the profits will help me repay the loan, build my own herd over time, and create a brighter future for my son."
For Etenesh, the greatest change wasn't only financial — it was a change in mindset. Her Savings Group showed her, and so many women like her, that lasting progress can begin with something small: the belief that even a little, saved consistently, can grow into something new.
